Information regarding the continuing coronavirus pandemic:
Updated November 2, 2020
Updated November 2, 2020
November 4, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
Per State of Connecticut guidelines, as of Monday, November 2, 2020, the number of people in attendance for public Masses and services has been reduced to 100 per event in each of our parish churches. Please be assured that we are continuing to provide for social distancing in both of our parish churches via roping off pews, everyone must wear a mask, making hand sanitizer readily available, and cleaning the churches after Masses. We will also be making announcements before communion to remind all of our parishioners of the guidelines for receiving the Eucharist (maintain at least two pew-lengths when in line, encouraging parishioners to receive communion via hand, if you wish to receive communion on the tongue please wait until the end of the line).
We realize that many of our parishioners are still uncomfortable returning to public Masses. Archbishop Blair has granted dispensation to attend Sunday Mass to everyone in the Archdiocese of Hartford through February 16, 2021 in light of the current situation. We still encourage everyone to participate in the Masses offered by our parish online via Facebook and our website, or via the television Masses from the Office of Radio & Television or EWTN. Also, please remember your parish needs your financial support even when you are not able to attend. Weekly offertory may be mailed to the rectory offices or you can sign up for online giving via our website at www.annunciationnewington.com
Please be assured that we are praying for you all, and we appreciate your prayers!
Peace,
Fr. Shawn and Fr. Josh
----------------------------------------
September 5, 2020
Update from the Archdiocese of Hartford regarding the obligation to attend Sunday Masses:
In light of the continuing coronavirus pandemic, Archbishop Blair has extended the dispensation from attending Sunday Mass through November 28, 2020, the end of the current liturgical year. While our parish's regular schedule of Masses resumed as of July 4, 2020, we realize that some parishioners may feel uncomfortable attending Mass in person.
We continue to live-stream a weekend Mass every week via Facebook. You do not need to be an active member of Facebook to view the Mass. Simply go to our website's homepage and click on the link for the current week's Mass and the video will start. Masses are usually posted on our website by 7:00pm on Saturdays.
God bless you all, and we hope to see you all in person soon!
-------------------
A message from Fr. Shawn and Fr. Josh...
August 16, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
Since the weekend of July 4th, it has been so wonderful to once again celebrate Mass in-person with so many of our parishioners! The past several weeks have presented opportunities for change and growth as we navigate this new reality together. Thank you to everyone who has worshipped and prayed with us, whether physically at church or virtually from home.
The past several weeks have also allowed us to have a better idea of how to best serve our parish going forward. Sadly, but understandably, attendance has been low at a number of our weekend Masses. Therefore, beginning Sunday, September 13, 2020, the 11:30am Mass at St. Mary's Church will no longer be offered. We will continue to monitor Mass attendance and adjust our schedules as needed, keeping in mind that we are called to be good stewards of the resources we have. At this time especially, we must be careful guardians of our gifts; spiritually, physically, and financially.
Jesus says in this coming week's Gospel: "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." Our Church will overcome this challenge, and with your prayers and support, we will continue to bring the good news of the Gospel to a world that so desperately needs it.
God bless you all,
Fr. Shawn & Fr. Josh
-------------------------
June 19, 2020:
Weekend Mass will resume the weekend of July 4/5. Please refer to the following guidelines from the Archdiocese of Hartford:
https://archdioceseofhartford.org/resuming-public-worship-on-sundays-in-the-archdiocese-of-hartford/?fbclid=IwAR1iD1DiATguCrDOebfmp-yjMNbOWRf8jD2K1rfCNZzH027RWN9tDYXLSyA
June 7, 2020:
Daily Masses will resume at Holy Spirit Church on Monday, June 8, 2020. Please refer to the following guidelines from the Archdiocese of Hartford:
https://archdioceseofhartford.org/guidelines-for-opening-churches-for-public-worship-in-the-archdiocese-of-hartford/
Please note that nobody is obligated to attend Mass at this time, per Archbishop Blair. If you feel you are at risk, know that dispensation from attending Sunday Mass has been granted through September 6, 2020. At Annunciation Parish, we are taking the appropriate precautions to ensure that anyone who desires to attend DAILY Mass remains safe. The date for the resumption of weekend Masses has been yet to be determined, pending circumstances regarding the Covid-19 outbreak.
June 2, 2020
Specific details on the reopening of Annunciation Parish coming soon! We've been reviewing the mandates from the Archdiocese and working on a plan to implement them at our parish. Stay tuned!
Click here to review the Guidelines from the Archdiocese
June 1, 2020:
I am happy to announce that we will begin to offer confession effective Saturday, June 5 from 3:00-3:45 pm at both churches.
Please note the following requirements: penitents should be wearing a mask the entire time and should bring their own hand sanitizer if at all possible. Everyone should keep proper social distancing of at least 6 feet. We request that everyone use hand sanitizer before entering the confessional. Those who are family members living under one roof do not need to keep social distancing from each other, but should keep distancing from all others. There will be no face-to-face confessions.
As your priests, please know that we have missed the opportunity to be serving you (in person), and though this is only a first step, it is a great joy for us to be able to once again begin administering the sacraments as we have been ordained to do.
God Bless,
Fr. Shawn
May 23, 2020:
Click HERE for a video message from the Archdiocese of Hartford. (It's good news!)
May 20, 2020:
A message from Fr. Shawn:
We have received phone calls and emails from many of you asking when we will be reopening the churches. A few people have also hinted they know when we will resume Masses. As I sit in my office on May 20th, we have not received any official date for resuming liturgies. Please be assured that Fr. Josh and I are in contact with the archdiocese on a regular basis and we will let all of you know when a date has been set to resume Masses. Stay connected with us by watching our Masses and
new musical selections from our music ministry every
Sunday and on our parish website or and on our Facebook
page annunicationnewington.com.
I am very aware of the generous sacrifices that many have
made in giving on-line, mailing in or dropping off their
weekly envelopes. This is how you express your devotion to
and connection with your parish. For those sacrifices, I say
thank you.
Finally, many of you have called or emailed us to ask how we are doing, and said how much you missed us. We miss you, too. This has been this most difficult period of my twenty-five years as a priest. Please know that Fr. Josh, Fr. Bock, Msgr. Kinnane and myself are usually in the rectory most of the day and we would be happy to hear from you.
May the Lord bless and renew each of us and your loved
ones during this most difficult time.
April 15, 2020:
Per the Archdiocese of Hartford and in light of the State of Connecticut limiting all non-essential businesses to be closed through May 20, 2020, ALL public Masses and Confessions are suspended in the Archdiocese of Hartford until further notice.
April 4, 2020:
IMPORTANT NOTICE regarding the distribution of palms and Confessions on Saturday, April 4:
Distribution of palms will be held at both churches from 3:00-3:45. PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CARS! At first we will be offering drive-thru palm deliveries by volunteers wearing gloves and masks. We can only limit the amount of palms to two per person in the car.
If the drive-thru becomes busy, volunteers will guide you where to park and palms will be brought to you.
Confession will NOT be offered as originally planned due to the Archdiocese of Hartford cancelling all public confessions until further notice effective today.
Please share this information with anyone you know who many not have access to our Facebook page or website.
We'll all get through this together... keep praying!
April 2, 2020
As of today: The public celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) in all parishes of the Archdiocese is suspended until further notice in solidarity with the request to stay home and self-isolate.
We understand that this is yet another hard piece of news to receive, but this decision was not made lightly by the Archdiocese and Archbishop Blair.
Please see the following from the Apostolic Penitentiary in Rome:
“Where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be remembered that perfect contrition, coming from the love of God, beloved above all things, expressed by a sincere request for forgiveness (that which the penitent is at present able to express) and accompanied by votum confessionis, that is, by the firm resolution to have recourse, as soon as possible, to sacramental confession, obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones (cf. CCC, no. 1452).”
Dear Parishioners,
Per State of Connecticut guidelines, as of Monday, November 2, 2020, the number of people in attendance for public Masses and services has been reduced to 100 per event in each of our parish churches. Please be assured that we are continuing to provide for social distancing in both of our parish churches via roping off pews, everyone must wear a mask, making hand sanitizer readily available, and cleaning the churches after Masses. We will also be making announcements before communion to remind all of our parishioners of the guidelines for receiving the Eucharist (maintain at least two pew-lengths when in line, encouraging parishioners to receive communion via hand, if you wish to receive communion on the tongue please wait until the end of the line).
We realize that many of our parishioners are still uncomfortable returning to public Masses. Archbishop Blair has granted dispensation to attend Sunday Mass to everyone in the Archdiocese of Hartford through February 16, 2021 in light of the current situation. We still encourage everyone to participate in the Masses offered by our parish online via Facebook and our website, or via the television Masses from the Office of Radio & Television or EWTN. Also, please remember your parish needs your financial support even when you are not able to attend. Weekly offertory may be mailed to the rectory offices or you can sign up for online giving via our website at www.annunciationnewington.com
Please be assured that we are praying for you all, and we appreciate your prayers!
Peace,
Fr. Shawn and Fr. Josh
----------------------------------------
September 5, 2020
Update from the Archdiocese of Hartford regarding the obligation to attend Sunday Masses:
In light of the continuing coronavirus pandemic, Archbishop Blair has extended the dispensation from attending Sunday Mass through November 28, 2020, the end of the current liturgical year. While our parish's regular schedule of Masses resumed as of July 4, 2020, we realize that some parishioners may feel uncomfortable attending Mass in person.
We continue to live-stream a weekend Mass every week via Facebook. You do not need to be an active member of Facebook to view the Mass. Simply go to our website's homepage and click on the link for the current week's Mass and the video will start. Masses are usually posted on our website by 7:00pm on Saturdays.
God bless you all, and we hope to see you all in person soon!
-------------------
A message from Fr. Shawn and Fr. Josh...
August 16, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
Since the weekend of July 4th, it has been so wonderful to once again celebrate Mass in-person with so many of our parishioners! The past several weeks have presented opportunities for change and growth as we navigate this new reality together. Thank you to everyone who has worshipped and prayed with us, whether physically at church or virtually from home.
The past several weeks have also allowed us to have a better idea of how to best serve our parish going forward. Sadly, but understandably, attendance has been low at a number of our weekend Masses. Therefore, beginning Sunday, September 13, 2020, the 11:30am Mass at St. Mary's Church will no longer be offered. We will continue to monitor Mass attendance and adjust our schedules as needed, keeping in mind that we are called to be good stewards of the resources we have. At this time especially, we must be careful guardians of our gifts; spiritually, physically, and financially.
Jesus says in this coming week's Gospel: "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." Our Church will overcome this challenge, and with your prayers and support, we will continue to bring the good news of the Gospel to a world that so desperately needs it.
God bless you all,
Fr. Shawn & Fr. Josh
-------------------------
June 19, 2020:
Weekend Mass will resume the weekend of July 4/5. Please refer to the following guidelines from the Archdiocese of Hartford:
https://archdioceseofhartford.org/resuming-public-worship-on-sundays-in-the-archdiocese-of-hartford/?fbclid=IwAR1iD1DiATguCrDOebfmp-yjMNbOWRf8jD2K1rfCNZzH027RWN9tDYXLSyA
June 7, 2020:
Daily Masses will resume at Holy Spirit Church on Monday, June 8, 2020. Please refer to the following guidelines from the Archdiocese of Hartford:
https://archdioceseofhartford.org/guidelines-for-opening-churches-for-public-worship-in-the-archdiocese-of-hartford/
Please note that nobody is obligated to attend Mass at this time, per Archbishop Blair. If you feel you are at risk, know that dispensation from attending Sunday Mass has been granted through September 6, 2020. At Annunciation Parish, we are taking the appropriate precautions to ensure that anyone who desires to attend DAILY Mass remains safe. The date for the resumption of weekend Masses has been yet to be determined, pending circumstances regarding the Covid-19 outbreak.
June 2, 2020
Specific details on the reopening of Annunciation Parish coming soon! We've been reviewing the mandates from the Archdiocese and working on a plan to implement them at our parish. Stay tuned!
Click here to review the Guidelines from the Archdiocese
June 1, 2020:
I am happy to announce that we will begin to offer confession effective Saturday, June 5 from 3:00-3:45 pm at both churches.
Please note the following requirements: penitents should be wearing a mask the entire time and should bring their own hand sanitizer if at all possible. Everyone should keep proper social distancing of at least 6 feet. We request that everyone use hand sanitizer before entering the confessional. Those who are family members living under one roof do not need to keep social distancing from each other, but should keep distancing from all others. There will be no face-to-face confessions.
As your priests, please know that we have missed the opportunity to be serving you (in person), and though this is only a first step, it is a great joy for us to be able to once again begin administering the sacraments as we have been ordained to do.
God Bless,
Fr. Shawn
May 23, 2020:
Click HERE for a video message from the Archdiocese of Hartford. (It's good news!)
May 20, 2020:
A message from Fr. Shawn:
We have received phone calls and emails from many of you asking when we will be reopening the churches. A few people have also hinted they know when we will resume Masses. As I sit in my office on May 20th, we have not received any official date for resuming liturgies. Please be assured that Fr. Josh and I are in contact with the archdiocese on a regular basis and we will let all of you know when a date has been set to resume Masses. Stay connected with us by watching our Masses and
new musical selections from our music ministry every
Sunday and on our parish website or and on our Facebook
page annunicationnewington.com.
I am very aware of the generous sacrifices that many have
made in giving on-line, mailing in or dropping off their
weekly envelopes. This is how you express your devotion to
and connection with your parish. For those sacrifices, I say
thank you.
Finally, many of you have called or emailed us to ask how we are doing, and said how much you missed us. We miss you, too. This has been this most difficult period of my twenty-five years as a priest. Please know that Fr. Josh, Fr. Bock, Msgr. Kinnane and myself are usually in the rectory most of the day and we would be happy to hear from you.
May the Lord bless and renew each of us and your loved
ones during this most difficult time.
April 15, 2020:
Per the Archdiocese of Hartford and in light of the State of Connecticut limiting all non-essential businesses to be closed through May 20, 2020, ALL public Masses and Confessions are suspended in the Archdiocese of Hartford until further notice.
April 4, 2020:
IMPORTANT NOTICE regarding the distribution of palms and Confessions on Saturday, April 4:
Distribution of palms will be held at both churches from 3:00-3:45. PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CARS! At first we will be offering drive-thru palm deliveries by volunteers wearing gloves and masks. We can only limit the amount of palms to two per person in the car.
If the drive-thru becomes busy, volunteers will guide you where to park and palms will be brought to you.
Confession will NOT be offered as originally planned due to the Archdiocese of Hartford cancelling all public confessions until further notice effective today.
Please share this information with anyone you know who many not have access to our Facebook page or website.
We'll all get through this together... keep praying!
April 2, 2020
As of today: The public celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) in all parishes of the Archdiocese is suspended until further notice in solidarity with the request to stay home and self-isolate.
We understand that this is yet another hard piece of news to receive, but this decision was not made lightly by the Archdiocese and Archbishop Blair.
Please see the following from the Apostolic Penitentiary in Rome:
“Where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be remembered that perfect contrition, coming from the love of God, beloved above all things, expressed by a sincere request for forgiveness (that which the penitent is at present able to express) and accompanied by votum confessionis, that is, by the firm resolution to have recourse, as soon as possible, to sacramental confession, obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones (cf. CCC, no. 1452).”
Please click on the following link to view an important announcement regarding Palm Sunday and Holy Week liturgies:
| annunciation_parish_-_holy_week_2020_pdf.pdf |
Please continue to check this page regularly, as changes are occurring frequently.
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Annunciation Parish announces the following changes to our schedule:
Mass:
ALL Masses at Annunciation Parish and the Archdiocese of Hartford have been cancelled until further notice.
Fr. Shawn and Fr. Josh will continue to say private Masses daily, so Mass is still being said in Newington and all Mass intentions are being honored. Funeral Masses are also no longer being held until further notice. Graveside services are being encouraged until Memorial Masses may be held at a later date.
The Office of Radio & Television (ORTV) of the Archdiocese of Hartford offers a televised Mass daily at 10:00am on stations WCCT and WCTX. You can also watch it on demand by clicking here.
Fr. Shawn and Fr. Josh will also occasionally be recording their private Masses, which we will make available periodically on our website and Facebook page.
Religious Education:
All Religious Education classes have ended effective immediately for the 2019/2020 year.
Confirmation has been postponed until further notice.
First Holy Communion has been postponed until further notice.
Please click here for the Religious Education page for more detailed information.
Confession:
Confessions are still being held at both St. Mary and Holy Spirit Churches on Saturdays from 3:00-3:45pm.
At this time, please use the screen for confessions. A chair will be provided near the screen for those needing one. As always, confessions are still available by appointment as well. Please call the rectory at (860) 666-1591.
Parish Events:
As of March 19, the following events have been cancelled:
-Soup & Bread and Stations of the Cross
-Parish Retreat which was to be held March 24, 25, 26
-Palm Sunday breakfast cancelled
-Comedy Show: Postponed until later this year
-All Womens Guild activities have been cancelled for the remainder of the year until further notice.
Individual parish ministries will be in touch with their members regarding meetings, etc.
Church Availability:
While there will be no public events held in either church during this time, Holy Spirit Church will be open for private prayer from 8:00am-2:30pm each day. We certainly invite you to spend time in front of the tabernacle with Our Lord, but please be aware of social distancing and keep as much distance in between others as possible. The church will continue to be cleaned daily.
Please know that our prayers are with all of you and all affected by this pandemic during these very difficult times!
These difficult changes were made via directives from the State of Connecticut and the Archdiocese of Hartford. Cancelling Masses is particularly difficult, but please join us in prayer and spiritual communion each day as the Mass continues to be said privately by your priests.
Father Shawn, Fr. Josh and the parish staff remain at the rectory during this time for your support. Even if you would like to simply speak over the phone with any questions, concerns, or spiritual needs... we're here!
(860) 666-1591
To see all communications from the Archdiocese of Hartford regarding the disruptions caused by the Coronavirus outbreak, please visit https://archdioceseofhartford.org/coronavirus/
These difficult changes were made via directives from the State of Connecticut and the Archdiocese of Hartford. Cancelling Masses is particularly difficult, but please join us in prayer and spiritual communion each day as the Mass continues to be said privately by your priests.
Father Shawn, Fr. Josh and the parish staff remain at the rectory during this time for your support. Even if you would like to simply speak over the phone with any questions, concerns, or spiritual needs... we're here!
(860) 666-1591
To see all communications from the Archdiocese of Hartford regarding the disruptions caused by the Coronavirus outbreak, please visit https://archdioceseofhartford.org/coronavirus/
March 24, 2020
A message from the Archdiocese of Hartford and Archbishop Leonard P. Blair:
In light of continued uncertainty regarding the extent and duration of the coronavirus in the state of Connecticut and throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford, the cancellation of public Masses and liturgies in the churches of the Archdiocese (the counties of Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven) that was originally mandated through April 3, 2020, will now extend through April 30, 2020. This includes the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Parishes will be advised in the coming days regarding what spiritual opportunities can be offered to their people during this most holy season of the liturgical year.
Priests will continue to celebrate a daily Mass alone with no congregation, remembering in prayer all who are affected by the pandemic, and parishes should continue to make provision for their churches to be open at some time so that individuals can still come and pray.
With regards to archdiocesan and parish schools, the Archdiocese of Hartford will continue to follow the decisions made by the state of Connecticut for its public schools, which currently remain closed.
Please know that any and all decisions made by the Archdiocese regarding closures and cancellations are based on the current understanding of the severity of the situation surrounding the pandemic at any given point and may be altered (modified, extended, or revoked) when deemed necessary.
Please join Archbishop Blair in praying for the intercession of Mary, our Mother, in protecting our people from the scourge of the coronavirus.
To view a video message from Archbishop Blair, please click below:
https://www.facebook.com/ArchdioceseofHartford/videos/210598686844496/
A message from the Archdiocese of Hartford and Archbishop Leonard P. Blair:
In light of continued uncertainty regarding the extent and duration of the coronavirus in the state of Connecticut and throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford, the cancellation of public Masses and liturgies in the churches of the Archdiocese (the counties of Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven) that was originally mandated through April 3, 2020, will now extend through April 30, 2020. This includes the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Parishes will be advised in the coming days regarding what spiritual opportunities can be offered to their people during this most holy season of the liturgical year.
Priests will continue to celebrate a daily Mass alone with no congregation, remembering in prayer all who are affected by the pandemic, and parishes should continue to make provision for their churches to be open at some time so that individuals can still come and pray.
With regards to archdiocesan and parish schools, the Archdiocese of Hartford will continue to follow the decisions made by the state of Connecticut for its public schools, which currently remain closed.
Please know that any and all decisions made by the Archdiocese regarding closures and cancellations are based on the current understanding of the severity of the situation surrounding the pandemic at any given point and may be altered (modified, extended, or revoked) when deemed necessary.
Please join Archbishop Blair in praying for the intercession of Mary, our Mother, in protecting our people from the scourge of the coronavirus.
To view a video message from Archbishop Blair, please click below:
https://www.facebook.com/ArchdioceseofHartford/videos/210598686844496/
| march-24-opportunities-for-prayer.pdf |